After my first two kids were born
this year the weather here turned unusually cold. I was concerned for these
kids and decided I would crochet them each a sweater. I could not find much on
line for a simple to crochet goat sweater. The day they were born was a busy
day for me so I really was looking for something that was simple to make. I
decided to just make them a dog sweater instead. It did help them to stay
warmer but the sweater seemed too sloppy on them and it did not cover their
neck. So I basically reworked the pattern and made a lot of changes to it until
I finally had something that was simple to make and fit nice and snug on them.

Since starting this project I have
had people let me know that if I come up with a pattern to please share it. So
that is what this web page is all about. Since I am by nature a more visual
learner I decided to go ahead and make another sweater and take pictures of it
along the way. This way if there is something in the pattern that confuses you,
maybe being able to see the pictures in steps will help you out.

I am not anything close to an expert
in crocheting! I really enjoy it, and know how to do it but this is the first
pattern that I have ever written. So if it is strange to any of you who are
pros at this.. you will know why!!

Now for the pattern……….

Supplies:

Use worsted weight yarn, 4 ply.. just
the basic stuff

Size K crochet hook, I use Boye hooks

2 Good sized buttons (the exact size
is not that important. Just something that will fit through the double crochet
on the belly band without slipping out)

To
make the body of the sweater:

Ch 28

Row 1: Dc in 4th chain
from the hook and in each ch across. This should leave you with 26 sts.

Row 2: Ch 3 and turn. This ch 3 is
your considered your first dc now and in throughout the rest of the pattern. Dc
in the rest of the sts across.

Row 3: Ch 3 and turn. Dc in each st
across

Row 4: (increase) Ch 3 and turn. Dc
in same ch 3 st and each st until the last st. 2 dc in last st. (28 sts)

Row 5: ch 3 and turn. Dc in each st
across

Row 6: (increase row) Ch 3 turn. Dc
in same ch 3 st and each st until the last st. 2 dc in last st. (30sts)

Row 7: Ch 3 and turn. Dc in each st
across

Row 8: (increase row) Ch 3 turn. Dc
in same ch 3 st and each st until the last st. 2 dc in last st. (32 sts)

Row 9: Ch 3 and turn. Dc in each st
across

Row 10: (increase row) Ch 3 turn. Dc
in same ch 3 st and each st until the last st. 2 dc in last st. (34 sts)

Row 11: Ch 3 and turn. Dc in each st
across

Row 12: (increase row) Ch 3 turn. Dc
in same ch 3 st and each st until the last st. 2 dc in last st. (36 sts)

Row 13: Ch 3 and turn. Dc in each st
across

Row 14: Ch 3 and turn. Dc in each st
across

What you have should now look like
this:

Neck
(this will be one side of the neck):

Row 1: ch 3 and turn. Dc in next 13
sts (14 total).

Row 2: ch 3 and do a Decrease
Stitch: *YO insert hook into
next st, YO and pull loop through. YO and draw through 2 loops. YO and insert
hook into next st, YO and pull loop through. YO and pull through 2 loops, YO
and pull through all 3 loops.* Dc in
each st to the end of the row.

Row 3: ch 3 and turn. Dc in all but
the last 3 sts. Do a decrease in the next 2 sts (* to * above). Dc in last st.

Row 4: ch 3 and turn. Do a Decrease
Stitch in the next 2 sts (* to * above). Dc in last st and tie off.

Neck
( to make the second neck side):

Row 1: On the other side of the body
opposite from the first neck piece use a sl st to join yarn to body. Ch 3 and
dc in the next 13 sts (14 total)

Row 2: ch 3 and do a Decrease
Stitch: *YO insert hook into
next st, YO and pull loop through. YO and draw through 2 loops. YO and insert
hook into next st, YO and pull loop through. YO and pull through 2 loops, YO
and pull through all 3 loops.* Dc in
each st to the end of the row.

Row 3: ch 3 and turn. Dc in all but
the last 3 sts. Do a Decrease Stitch in the next 2 sts (*
to *above). Dc in last st.

Row 4: ch 3 and turn. Do a Decrease
Stitch in the next 2 sts (* to * above). Dc in last st and tie off.

Neck
Band:

Using a sl st put the small ends of
the neck together and sew them closed starting from the bottom and working up.
When you are at the top of the neck, ch 1

Row 1: sc around the neck band and
connect with a sl st back at the first ch 1.

Row 2 – 10: Ch 1. Sc around the neck
band connecting with a sl st to the first ch 1. Tie off after row 10.

The picture below shows the sweater
folded and on the left side is where I sewed the the 2 neck pieces together

Here is what it looks like after the
neck rows have been crocheted on:

Belly Band:

Row 1: Lay sweater on its side and
count down 7 rows on the edge. join with a sl st and ch 1. Sc in the next 7
sts (total 8 sts).

Row 2: Ch 3 and turn. DC across in
each st.

Row 3: Ch 3 and turn. DC across in
each st.

Row 4: Ch 3 and turn. DC across in
each st.

Between the Leg Band

I make a small band from the front of
the sweater at the bottom edge that will go between the legs and button on the
belly band. This helps the sweater to fit more snug on the goat.

Row 1: I find the center point where
I sewed the 2 neck sides together and with a sl st I tie on 2 sts to the right
from the center and ch 1. I then work 4 more sts giving me a total of 5 sts.
with the 3rd st being in the center.

Row 2: Ch 3 and turn. Dc in each st
across

Row 3 to 6: Repeat row 2 and tie off
at the end of row 6.

Buttons:

I use large buttons from my button
box. Size of buttons is not as important as that they can’t slip through the dc
as I don’t make any button holes, just use what I have already there.

Sew a button on the belly band and on
the Between Leg Band. If my buttons are on the smaller size I may sew 2 on the
belly band, one on each corner.

This pictures shows the button on the
Belly Band:

Hannah is holding the sweater for me
and in her hand on the left side of the pic is the button on the In Between Band
and on the right side is the button on the Belly Band.